Is PC gaming dead in 2008? (Take a guess...or go to post #109)

[Des0lar]

mr stroke you simply HAVE TO check this thread out: http://www.g-amespot.com/pages/forum...ic_id=25632718 Replace g-amespot with you know what.

Fuck yeah, this list is AAA+++. Will upgrade my PC in 2008 if most of these indie games make it to retail.

[A Black Falcon]

Starcraft 2... I'm somewhat nervous about it, actually. Will it live up to expectations and be as or close to as good as the first Starcraft, which is the best game ever? It's Blizzard so I know it will be close... I'd almost given up on Blizzard after how they spent several years doing nothing but WoW. I've been waiting for this game for a long time...

pc gaming will continue to be the same as 2007-a mix of xbox360 ultimate SKU, innovative, if sometimes buggy, european games, and a wide spectrum of strategy titles with incredible diversity. Empire: Total War and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky will make me a very happy gamer if they come out in 2008 like they are supposed to.

This is correct. Outside of the occasional strategy game or RPG and the large MMO genre, the US/Canadian-developed PC exclusive is dead. Thanks to the strength of the MMO genre and the huge volume of European titles, however, PC gaming isn't truly dead... the great PC age of the '90s is dead and buried (and has been, really, since somewhere between 1999 and 2001), sadly, though, and I really miss it. :(

I mean honestly, look at that list. RTS, RPG, FPS, Adventure. No other genres. Space sims (think X-Wing) are dead. Mech sims (MechWarrior 1-3) are dead. PC-exclusive sports games that aren't management sims are dead. PC-exclusive platformers are dead (in boxed form for sure, anyway; there is some stuff sold online by individuals, if that counts). Big-budget graphic adventure games are dead (though this genre's been weak since like 1994, really... ever since Myst...). Wargames are dead (apart from online-sales-only ultra-hardcore ones; forget about the actually accessible ones with decent graphics like we used to have from SSI and others...). PC-exclusive FPSes are pretty much dead. Single-player RPGs are about as close to death as a genre can get without being dead (it's pretty much NWN2 mods/addons and hope for Dragon Age and that's it, at this point, unless you actually believe in Fallout 3...). Military sims are dead (tank/plane/etc; Jane's line from EA, etc -- there are a few of these like IL-2, but very very few). Etc.

I'd list building/life sims too, but Maxis still makes them and no one else other than perhaps Bullfrog ever came close to matching them in the genre...

So no, PC gaming is not dead. There are games coming out. However, many (probably most) of the best once PC-only development houses now many console games only or make both PC and console versions of all their games. Others closed and their replacements were not their equals. Others simply stopped making great games entirely. The ones that are left, or that have opened since then, cannot even begin to replace the variety and depth of fields that was lost...

And if it wasn't for the PC's continuing strength in Europe, even what we do still have would be gutted.

Here's hoping Dragon Age makes it out in '08, and is what Bioware says it is: the spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate 2, influenced by fantasy works like A Song of Ice and Fire, and NOT CONSOLIZED DRIVEL. Unfortunately I place very very very very little hope in Bioware's ability to actually accomplish this.

After making three games that were so heavily consolized, I agree that turning back to the style of the BG games will be very difficult for Bioware... I really hope they succeed, but yeah, I'm not betting on it.

[MickeyKnox]

2007 was absolutely the year of the PC and 2008 already has a ton of great games lined up for it, between that; the immense backlog of amazing games and the arrival of the 8800gt for budget management, PC gaming is on a fire.

[D2M15]

I'd almost given up on Blizzard after how they spent several years doing nothing but WoW.

Yeah, it's a good thing they pulled out the stops and developed SCII entirely from scratch this year.

[Calidor]

Since I don't want to open a new thread about it, I'll ask here:

I want to start playing a MMORPG and I don't like the idea that everyone is so overpowered that it's impossible to catch up (specially in PvP) so, is WoW still friendly to new users without any clan or friends? any recommended expansion?

[Stoney Mason]

2007 was absolutely the year of the PC and 2008 already has a ton of great games lined up for it, between that; the immense backlog of amazing games and the arrival of the 8800gt for budget management, PC gaming is on a fire.

I hear pogs are making a comeback too...

[Anth]

PC gaming has been dead for years. The corpse just twitches every once in a while.

On what basis? The PC certainly saw a lot more and better games than the PS3 did this year.

PCWii makes a lot more sense to me than Wii360, or PSWii. You cannot get Halo3, FF or MGS on the PC, but it's almost impossible to get good strategy games without the PC, and multi-platform games (i.e. pretty much all third-party shooters) will always be way, way better on the PC.

[kbear]

2007 was absolutely the year of the PC and 2008 already has a ton of great games lined up for it, between that; the immense backlog of amazing games and the arrival of the 8800gt for budget management, PC gaming is on a fire.

This is a good point. A ton of people will be upgrading / getting a new PC in 2008 (I'm one of them) so games like Crysis, World in Conflict, Supreme Commander, all of the 2007 gems will be fresh and new. I can't wait to play Crysis... it's one of my most anticipated games of 2008, so to speak.

[MickeyKnox]

Might as well post the list here.

2008 In this thread you will find comprehensive listing of all promising games that are scheduled for 2008 release. I only list promising games (ie those that are sequels to good games, are made by creators of good games or have very positive hands on previews) this is the third edition of this thread. if you want previous ones here are the links re in my sig EXCLUSIVES STRATEGY Starcraft 2 Do I really need to explain why? :) Empire: Total War Finally! Total War is heading into XVIII century. With naval combat! SPORE Will Wright is a genius( he created games like Sim City and SIMS)..and this one it's the most ambitious game in development right now. Disciples III: Renaissance Disciples II: Dark Prophecy was one of best turn-based fantasy strategy games of last few years. It was released in 2002, around the same time such "monsters" of this subgenre like Heroes4, Age of Wonders 2 and Etherlords were released. And yet it stood proudly next to them and secured it's place as one of premier franchises of this type. Now it's back in full 3D and done by Akella. Panzers: Cold War Previous two Panzers games both got solid AA here Jagged Alliance 3 Jagged Alliance series is pure turn-based perfection. now it returns running on highly modified Silent Storm engine and developed by F3 Games( new developer composed of veteran Russian developers, including ex-Nival people) Society A MMORTS without fees. From makers of GalacticCivilizations2(9.0) Sins of the Solar Empire Epic 4X space empire building strategy with mix of Homeworld-like combat, made by ex members of Barking dog(where they worked on Homeworld: Cataclysm, a space RTS that got 8.9 here) Cities Unlimited City Life turned out be a very good(7.8 from GS) city-builder that achieved quite nice financial success, so now Monte Cristo will follow it up with much bigger budget and possibly a new name. Worldshift RTS from Black Sea Studios, makers of Knights of Honor (8.0) Perimeter 2 Sequel to one of most original RTS of recent years (8.3 from GS) Multiwinia Multiplayer-centered version of Darwinia (8.5 from GS) Europa Universalis Rome New spin off from Europa Universalis franchise(previous games from this series:EU1-8.1, EU2-8.5, EU3-8.7, Hearts of Iron 2- 8.3, Crusader Kings- 8.3) Spaceforce : Captains Turn-based strategy game by makers of Spaceforce: Rogue Universe (7.5). Untitled Napoleonic era wargame The Lordz, a group of modders know for the excellent Napoleonic Total War I and II mods for Medieval:TW and Rome:TW is going commercial. Their game will be TotalWar-like, with deep strategy level where we'll be able to take command of least 10 different nations as well as huge and realistic battles (with various units formations, morale system, terrain effects etc) Supreme Ruler 2020 Supreme Ruler 2010 was described by Gamespot as "Complexity and accessibility are rarely so well-balanced in a strategy game." and awarded it 7.6 score. The sequel will be in full 3D and with bigger budget thanks to Paradox backing. Hegemony: Philip of Macedon From makers of Tread Marks(76% at GR) Jutland WWI naval wargame, follow up to Distant Guns (it recieved seal of excelence at Wargamer.net Field Ops A modern RTS where you can take direct control of every individual unit. From makers of ImperiumGalactica2(8.4) Seven Kingdoms: Conquest New entry is likely the least known AAA series( Seven Kingdoms got 9.0 and it's sequel got 9.1) HistWar: Les Grognars A tactical and strategical game of insane depth by Battlefront Sudden Strike 3 A epic WWII wargame by Fireglow (they aren't well known in US, but they are beloved strategy dev in Europe) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Soulstorm Third add-on to one of best modern RTS franchises (original game got 8.8, first add-on got 8.8 and the second add-on got 8.8) Anno 1701: Sunken Dragon Expansion pack to 7.6 city builder Celtic Kings2 Finally in 3D, previous games in the series were both AAs at Gamespot ADVENTURE Gray Matter New adventure game from the empress of the genre: Jane Jansen (creator of Gabriel Knight series) Vampyre Story From ex-LucasArts guys(mostly from the Curse of Monkey Island crew) Nikopol: The Carnival of Immortals Adventure game from Benoit Sokal (Syberia, Amerzone, Paradise) based on Enki Bilal (and with active input from the author) masterpiece graphic novel trilogy. Dracula 3 The series is getting resurrected by Kheops Mata Hari Adventure game from 4Head (most well known for Europa 1400 (8.5) ), designed and written by Lucas Arts veterans: Hal Barwood and Noah Falstein ( guys behind Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade as well as legendary Indiana Jones games The Fate of Atlantis) Sherlock Holmes versus Arsène Lupin Follow up to Sherlock Holmes: the Awakened (8.3 from Gamespot, the highest adventure game has scored here in two years!) Still Life 2 Finally a sequel to one of most loved adventure games in recent years (9.0 at Adventuregamers). Alternativa Cyberpunk adventure from makers of Memento Mori in c.lassic point&click s.tyle using 2.5D engine with non-linear story and alternative storylines. So Blonde A game from Steven Ice (lead writer of games like Broken Sword (9.2) and Broken Sword 3(8.1) Dracula: Origin From Frogwares, makers of Sherlock Holmes: the Awakened (8.3) Simon the Sorcerer 4 The beloved adventure series is back, this time in following the path of first two titles(which were incredible) instead of following the terrible road of Simon3 Machinarium First full lenght adventure from Amanita Design (makers of marvelous Samorost 1-2) Perry Rhodan Adventure game based on longest running SF novels series ever made The Whispered World The Path From makers of Endless Forest Ankh 3: Battle of the Gods First one got 7.3 Resonance First commercial game from maker the incredible freeware adventure game "What Linus Bruckman Sees When His Eyes Are Closed" Penumbra: Black Plague] Sequel to 7.8 adventure game. Love " First-person-not-so-massively-multiplayer- online-procedural-adventure-game" :) Treasure Island Fully 3D adventure game from Radonlabs (who are also working on Drakensang) that will give you a chance to live through Stevenson's cla$sic story. Art of Murder: FBI Confidential New adventure game from the team behind Schizm (7.8 from GS) and Sentinel (7.0 from Adventuregamers) Cassius Pearl Traditional point and click adventure game. The team was formed by developers working for big French developing companies like Ubisoft, Eden Studios, Ar**** Studios, Stormfront, and Pam Development Secret Files 2 Sequel to Secret Files: Tunguska (7.0 from Adventuregamers) Abbey Cartoon adventure game from Alcachofa Soft (makers of Clever & Smart- 84% at Adventurecorner.de) Heaven An Adenture game from Stephan Martiniere(visual art director at Cyan where he worked on Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, Uru: The Path of the Shell and Myst 5), Dylan Cole(who worked on the films Superman Returns, Daredevil and The Chronicles of Riddick) and former employees from Digital Domain( James Cameron's special effects company) Overclocked An adventure game described as "present-day thriller game about the psychological dimensions of violence."", from House of Tales, makers of "Moment of Silence" (AdventureGamers-4/5, JustAdventure-A-) Memento Mori New adventure game from Anaconda label. Nostradamus - The Last Prophecy New Kheops game Experience123 From makers of Missing: Since January. You play as observer, it is from this detached position that you'll need to assert your influence in order to guide Ai-controler woman through the challenges, using only the various controls at your disposal, none of which allow you to communicate verbally with her, though you can hear her speaking to you. By doing so, you will also uncover clues about the woman's identity, your relationship to her, and the mysterious circumstances in which you find yourselves. The Lost Crown: a Ghosthunting Adventure New horror adventure from the master of this subgenre: Jonathan Boakes(creator of DarkFall series) Dead Mountaineer Hotel Last-Express like adventure game(meaning non-linear, NPC have AIs, goals, daily routines and walk freely over the gameworld) based on Strugacki Brothers' novel, made by Akella. Kaptain Brawe Indie oldschool comedy adventure game AGON: The Lost Sword of Toledo Fourth episode of Agon ( the last one got 7.0 from Adventuregamers) Mozart Sinking Island Detective adventure game from Benoit Sokal(Amerzone, Syberia series, Paradise) Juniper Crescent - The Sapphire Claw By Steven Ince, co creator of BrokenSword series Dreamfall Chapters An episodic continuation of Dreamfall storyline

[Borys]

Since I don't want to open a new thread about it, I'll ask here: I want to start playing a MMORPG and I don't like the idea that everyone is so overpowered that it's impossible to catch up (specially in PvP) so, is WoW still friendly to new users without any clan or friends? any recommended expansion?

May I suggest you ask the same question in WoW's thread in the Online Forum? Top of the page, you can't miss it and peeps there will certainly answer your question.

[Elbrain]

PC gaming has been dead for years now silly buy a 360 or ps3 no hassle much more fun

There is so much wrong this post I don't even know where to begin.

[MidiSurf]

I hear pogs are making a comeback too...

Oh man pogs were so cool. I had tons of them. Didn't really know how to play with them but they had neat pictures.

Oh and Vampyre Story just rushed top of my top10 most wanted games.

[MickeyKnox]

***continued

RPG Dragon Age Bioware next epic King's Bounty: the Legend Fantasy tactical RPG. Player will walk around big world map, do quests, subquests ,upgrade his character, etc. Simply typical RPG stuff, but the combat will resemble a strategy game. It will be turn-based ,you will gather big parties etc. The game is developed by the team that made Space Rangers 2(8.1 at Gamespot) Drakensang: The Dark Eye Finally a new game based of DarkEye pen and paper RPG (previously used in wonderful Realms of Arkania series) Dropship A turn-based SF wargame with RPG elements developed by ex-Troika guys using the Source engine Afterfall Indie roleplaying game following the good old school principles of the genre: non-linearity, turn-based combat, lots of roleplaying and decisions having real effect on the game world Reluctant Hero An innovative RPG that follows entire career of your character, till his very death from old age. By makers of Kult:Heretic Kingdoms (74% at Gamerankings) Space Siege SF action-RPG from GasPoweredGames, a team behind games like Dungeon Siege(8.4) and it's sequel(7.9) and Supreme Commander (8.7). Hard to be God Isometric RPG set in world created by Strugacki's brothers. Co-developed by Akella Mount and Blade Indie RPG with revolutionary combat system(realistic swordplay, archery, mounted combat, total ownage) Not the Time for Dragons Legend: Hand of God Age of Decadence Hardcore indie RPG The Broken Hourglass An old-school Baldurs Gate 2-like RPG, done by Planewalker Games-indie team consisting of cRPG modders, lead by Jason Compton (the best BG2 modder, he did wonders to NPC and party members dynamic interaction). The game is set in Tolmira (sword-and-sorcery setting, which PlaneWalker licensed) has isometric perspective, unlimited party, complex party-to-party interactions, lots of good old-school roleplaying and real-time with pause combat system Seeker Epic space opera RPG by LogicFactory, makers of ToneRebellion(8.1) Avernum 5 New Spiderweb Software RPG. Mysteries of Westgate Adventure pack from makers of Darkness over Daggerford(one of very best NWN mods) Guild Wars 2 Sequel to 9.2 online RPG Star Trek Online Ragnarok Online 2 Sequel to one of best and most popular MMORPGs in the world Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning by Mythic, makers of Dark Age of Camelot(the only MMO besides WoW to ever get AAA from GS) Pirates of Burning Sea A pirate MMO created by a team full of pen and paper RPG legends(like John Tynes) Warld of Warcraft: Wrath of Lich King Second add-on to WoW. Dragonball Online From Namco/Bandai, production is overseen by Toriyama himself PUZZLE Subversion Fourth Introversion game (after Uplink, Darwinia and Defcon) Overflow New fluid-centered puzzle game from makers of The Odyssey: Winds of Athena(8.0 from Gametunnel) Democracy 2 Sequel to best indie sim of 2005 Cosmic Osmo's Hex Isle CYAN Worlds (creators of Myst series) are returning to the first IP they've created. World of Goo A physics based puzzle / construction game.One of finalist for IGF 2008 Game of the year award. Crayon Physics Deluxe Crayon Physics Deluxe is a sequel to the popular freeware game in which you get to experience what it would be like if your drawings would be magically transformed into real physical objects. Solve puzzles with your artistic vision and creative use of physics.One of finalist for IGF 2008 Game of the year award. Crazy Machines 2 Sequel to 7.9 puzzle game, this time in full 3D Katamari Online Multiplayer spin-off of the great series ACTION S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Prequel (With various improvements, including added dx10 support) to 8.6 FPS. Ground Branch Tactical shooter from Blackfoot( which is composed of RainbowSix, Rogue Spear and Ghost Recon leads) Enemy in Sight Tactical shooter from makers of Mafia. Far Cry 2 Natural Selection 2 Commercial Source-based sequel to one of best mp MODS ****oish Witches English version of great doujin shump. It's great news, not only because the game is simply a very good game, but also because it's the first doujin game officially translated to English, so there's hope many more will follow. Captain Claw 2 The first one got 7.7 and was one of most loved 2D PC platformers in recent decade Global Agenda Tactical MMOFPS running on Unreal Engine 3.0 Hammerfall Physics based action puzler. Chrome 2 Original Chrome was good(7.2) FPS shooter that had lots of unrealized potential. Since then Techland has been consistently improving and their last title:XPandRally has 85% average at GameRankings we can propably expect good things from this game Lone Wolf: Flight from the Dark Action-adventure based on legendary "Choose your own adventure" gamebook series Kwari Online FPS from Microforte (makers of Fallout Tactics (8.3 from Gamespot) Zeno Clash Fantasy FPP action game running on Source engine Gish 2 A sequel to one of best 2D platformers of last 5 years( 8.2 at GS, IGF Game of the year 2005 winner) FinnWars 2 Commercial follow-up to one of best Battlefield1942 mods ever made. Audiosurf Audiosurf allows you to experience the intensity and emotion of your songs in real time, in full color, and in 3D in form of futuristic racing game. One of finalist for IGF 2008 Game of the year award. The Spirit Engine 2 Commercial follow-up to a great 2003 freeware Ascension Freeware spiritual successor to Tribes, created by the team that made the Renegade mod for Tribes, Tribes2 and Tribes: Vengeance Fireteam Reloaded Team-based multiplayer action game from Pixel (Austin-based studio formed by v veteran developers who worked on games like Ultima, Wing Commander, Medal of Honor and **** Ex series) King Solomon's Treasures Old school platformer from team who previously released excelent freeware remakes of Goody and Super Colt 36. Alien Swarm: Infested AlienSwarm was one of very best and definitly the most original UnrealTournament2004 mods ever. Now the sequel is coming as commercial game running on Valve's Source engine Cryostasis Innovative FPS from ( small team most well known for Carnivores(7.1) and Carnivores 2(7.3) ) Cletus Clay A platformer with visuals made of Clay made by maker of Platpus Eduardo The Samurai Toaster Face wound Platformer made by creator of Garry's Mod Savage II: Tortured Soul A sequel to innovative RTS/FPS mix that won Indie GOTY 2003 Black Sky Open ended StarControl2 like game They Hunger: Lost Souls Original Hunger was THE best single-player mod for Half-life. Now the team returns with commercial follow up based on Source engine Armada Online Limbo Indie platformer Collapse TPP post apocalyptic action game from Creoteam(new team formed mostly by ex Crytek and Frogwares guys) American McGee's Grimm Finally a follow up to Alice Americas Army this time on UE3.0 SIMULATION Storm of War: Battle of Britain From makers of Il2 Sturmovik Digital Combat Simulator: Black Shark Heli sim from Eagle Dynamics, best known for Flanker 2.0 (8.7 from GS) Jet Thunder Historical air combat sim from Thunder Works Fighter Ops Jumpgate Evolution A sequel to space sim MMO that got 8.6 from Gamespoit Infinity: The Quest for Earth MMO space simulator with huge procedurally generated universe Universe Online A space sim MMO from team of MMO veterans( Colony studios is composed of people who worked on Eve, Wow and others MMOs) Microsoft Train Simulator 2 Finaly a sequel to one best train sims ever made( 8.2from GS), this time it will be made by AcES (company responsible for Flight Simulator series) using their Flight Simulator X engine Knights of the Sky A WWI sim made on IL2Sturmovik series engine Silent Hunter 4: U-Boat Missions Add-on to 8.3 submarine simulator

[Borys]

MickeyKnox wins the fucking internet.

[Prime crotch]

le gasp Still Life is finally getting a sequel?!

[MickeyKnox]

***continued

RACING Live for Speed S3 Major upgrade to already great Live for Speed S2 FiRST RACING Ex-Lead guys from Papyrus(basically the GOD of racing sims until Sierra closed them down)are now working on self-funded online-centered hardcore racing sim to be released in 2007 ARCA Sim Racing Finally a stock car sim. Turismo Carretera Racing sim thaty recreates most important series in South America. It's using the gMotor 2.0 technology licenced by ISI.( the same physics and graphics engine that GTR2 and RACE use) MOTORM4X offroad racing game from EasyCo (company formed by ex-members of IlussionSoftworks where they worked on Hidden and Dangerous 1-2 and Mafia) MULTIPLATFORMS Mafia 2 At last! A sequel to one of very best (9.3) action games ever made. Fallout 3 Frontlines: Fuel of War The Crossing Source based shooter mixing singleplayer and multiplayer. Developed by Ar**** Studios( Arx Fatalis, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic) and Half-Life 2's art director Heavy Rain New adventure game from the makers of Indigo Prophecy(one of the best and most unique adventure games of last couple years, Gamespot gave 8,4 and Adventure GOTY in 2005) Sacred 2 Sequel hack and slash RPG that probably was the best DIablo2-like game(aside from Diablo itself ;) ) ever released. This time Ascaron is making the game in in full 3D Rise of the Argonauts UE 3.0-based action-RPG from Liquid, makers of games like Battle Realms(8.7) and Dragonshard(8.5). Project Origin Sequel to FEAR (9.1 from GS) Project Offset A fantasy FPS from makers of Savage(which won Indie GOTY 2003) Alan Wake A psychological thriller from makers of Max Payne series Elveon Unreal Engine 3.0 based RPG from 10Tacle Blood Bowl Sports game based on great Games Workshop board game, it will have both traditional turn-based mode as well as real-time one. It's being developed by Cyanide Studios (makers of similar Chaos League Turning Point: Fall of Liberty Legendary: The Box Bionic Commando Operation Flashpoint 2 The Secret World A MMO from makers of Age of Conan and Longest Journey franchise Interstellar Marines FPS using Unreal Engine 3.0 Totems Action-adventure from the makers of Outcast RAGE Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway Splinter Cell 5 Assassins Creed Command and Conquer 3: ****s Wrath Add-on to 9.0 RTS [img]http://www.adrianwerner.x.pl/2008//****wrath.jpg[/img] Agency Spy-themed action MMO from SOE Fracture SF shooter from makers of Mech Assault series Left 4 Dead C-op centered Source-based shooter from Turtle Rock and Valve. Lord of Creatures Being made by lead designers of ********* and *********2. The Club Third person shooter by Bizzare Creations ( makers of Project Gotham Racing series) Mercenaries 2 Sequel to 8.8 game Strike Force Red Cell Commercial follow-up to great UT2004 mod Rogue Warrior Unreal Engine 3.0 based tactical shooter Galtrix Simple space strategy game made by creators of Warlords franchise Borderlands Post apocalyptic shooter from Gearbox (makers of Brothers in Arms series) Armed Assault 2 Lost Untitled Junction Point Project From Warren Spector (creator of **** Ex) Precursors An open ended action/rpg game which takes action in space and on planets(think STALKER mixed with Privateer), from makers of BoilingPoint Age of Conan Devil May Cry 4 Commanders: Attack TUrn-based wargame from Southend Interactive, makers of Deathrow(8.7) White Gold: War in Paradise FPS/RPG hybrid that's a successor to Boiling Point. The game changes setting and characters, but keeps the core gameplay concept intact. So we can expect huge dynamic terrain to explore , incredible freedom, tons of stuff to do and developer's ambition that would make most other companies explode :) Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom Action RPG set in KUF universe(the last two KUF games were both strong AAs at Gamespot) Necrovision FPS from Farm21(company created by people who worked on games like Painkiller or MOH: Allied Assault), running on heavily upgraded Painkiller engine Huxley A MMO FPS from Webzen running on UE3.0 Alone in the Dark 5 Braid Winner of IGF 2006 Innovation Award Everyday Shooter game nominated for 2007 IGF's Design Innovation, Excellence in Audio and Grand Prize awards 2009 EXCLUSIVESS Steel beasts 2 The follow-up to most realistic and hardcore tank sim ever. First one got 8.8. Iron Seed 2 Follow up to forgotten cla$$ic (it's not well known now, but back in the days it rivaled Star Control 2 in quality) Aquarica A game by Benoit Sokal (Amerzone, Syberia 1-2, Paradise) Untitled Carbine Studios MMORPG Carbine is a team composed of RPG veterans(including Blizzard ones) like Tim Cain (one of creators of Fallout and Arcanum) and Jeremy Gaffney (founder of Turbine) New Pyranha RPG New RPG IP from creators of Gothic franchise MULTIPLATFORMS Dungeon Hero From Firefly studios (makers of great Stronghold series and medicore Stronghold: Legends and CivCity, we'll see how they do here) Divine Divinity 2 Sequel to one of best action-rpgs ever(8.6 at GS), running on Gamebryo 2.0 engine(Oblivion, Gothic3, Guild2 all used it) Section 8 Unreal 3.0-based FPS from makers of Kohan trilogy(which got 8.6, 7.7 and the last one for 8.5 from GS) Postal 3 **** Ex 3 [IMG]http://www.adrianwerner.x.pl/2009/****ex3.jpg[/IMG] Unnamed Ferrari Project Blimey games (makers of GTR2 and GT Legends) are preparing this game on brand new engine and they hired Richard Burns Rally physics coder to create the physics engine for it.

[MidiSurf]

****continued

Support this game and you will be supporting Finnish game industry... And it really needs all the support it can have.

[Big-E]

Well done Mickey.

[Metal Gear?!]

As long as there are PCs there will always be games made for them.

[The Crimson Blur]

I think it is not that PC gaming is dying, it is that console gamers are paying less attention to it. PC gaming is doing as well as ever, even if people without gaming rigs don't notice. The media doesn't glamorize the big PC games of the year, so people tend to think the platform is dying. This is not the case, and I hate how there is at least one topic like this in every forum every year.

[Joseph Merrick]

did the guy who made that list honestly forget Rig'n'Roll or did I just miss it?



2008! THE YEAR OF SOFTLAB NSK!

download this trailer

(sequel to king of the road / hard truck 2)

[Spruchy]

WoW and the witcher is all ive been playing lately and ive gotten every major console release this holiday season.

So nOOOO WAY

[Prime crotch]

Still Life 2 people! PC=platform of 2008

[Mamesj]

On what basis? The PC certainly saw a lot more and better games than the PS3 did this year. PCWii makes a lot more sense to me than Wii360, or PSWii. You cannot get Halo3, FF or MGS on the PC, but it's almost impossible to get good strategy games without the PC, and multi-platform games (i.e. pretty much all third-party shooters) will always be way, way better on the PC.

I agree with you fully. I've been PS2WiiPC since September and haven't really looked back. Sure, I miss out on Uncharted here, Mass Effect there, but in the face of everything else I do have, it's not a problem.

I'll but a PS3 when MGS4 comes out, play the game, then sell the system off. I'll do the same
thing with the 360 and Ninja Gaiden II, just because I need to play both of those games.

and I just came in my pants a little at the screenshot love on this page

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah, it's a good thing they pulled out the stops and developed SCII entirely from scratch this year.

This list should show you exactly what I mean. Note the sudden cessation of Blizzard's "at least one major release a year" system in 2005 immediately after the release of WoW.

Blizzard PC games

1993 - The Lost Vikings
1994 - Warcraft I, Blackthorne
1995 - Warcraft II
1996 - Diablo (in late November)
1997 - nothing (Diablo really, though)
1998 - Starcraft, Starcraft: Brood War
1999 - Warcraft II: Battle.Net Edition
2000 - Diablo II
2001 - Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
2002 - Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
2003 - Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
2004 - World of Warcraft
2005 - nothing
2006 - nothing
2007 - World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
2008 - Starcraft II?

Blizzard franchise games on the PC by outside developers but that Blizzard was involved in making in some way: Diablo: Hellfire (expansion, done by Sierra, 1997), Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal (expansion, done by Cyberlore I believe, 1996, PC), Norse By Norsewest: Return of the Lost Vikings (1997, PC/PSX/Saturn, graphically upgraded port of Blizzard's 1995 SNES game Lost Vikings II).

Sure, WoW was interesting, but I don't play games that require monthly fees, and Blizzard wasn't doing anything else... until 2004 Blizzard was my favorite game developer, but when they stopped doing anything but WoW... well, let's just say that I was really happy to see them finally get to SC2.

[AltogetherAndrews]

Crazy lists, but you missed one

Prototype, 3rd person open world supermutantshapeshifter destruction and mayhem action game from Radical/Sierra

[Joseph Merrick]

Crazy lists, but you missed one Prototype, 3rd person open world supermutantshapeshifter destruction and mayhem action game from Radical/Sierra IMG

oh yeah, ultimate destruction 2.. minus incredible hulk. :bow

should be awesome

[dude]

Whoa@list
Mickey just made me want to upgrade my PC, and I already am a PC gamer.

[FFChris]

The Year Ahead: PC Gaming in 2008 http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=708 short answer, no

Most of the games coming out on the PC are also on the 360!

Edit: The list above is looking pretty good though.

[kenmasters]

i really hope pc gaming is going to stick around. i think it contributes a lot to gaming as a whole, especially on the technology side.
does anyone know how nvidia's and ati's business went over the last few years, did it cool off in any way?

[MickeyKnox]

I just wanted to post the list here, the credit belongs to AdrianWerner on the GSpot forums, he does this list every year and does a great job I always look forward to it. The last time he made it I discovered The Witcher because the screens he posted really jumped out at me, totally loved the art direction, and it ended up being in a dead heat for GOTY.

[InsertCredit]

Holy cow, that's one fine list

I didn't know McGee was making a new game, consider me hyped!

[Druz]

Most of the games coming out on the PC are also on the 360! Edit: The list above is looking pretty good though.

the above list just made your first sentence incorrect if you paid attention.

[Anth]

I never knew there were so many adventures in development. The cynic in me says most of them will either be aborted, or turn out sucky, but some of them should be decent.

[Darkman M]

I didn't appreciate PC gaming until i bought Oblivion for the PC after owning the Xbox360 version first, the moding brought so much more to the game it's ridiculous. There will always be a place for PC gaming as long as there are great moding community's imo.

[Mamesj]

Most of the games coming out on the PC are also on the 360! Edit: The list above is looking pretty good though.

I'd rather have control over graphics settings, v-sync, tweaking, etc. I mean, I guess achievement points are....sorda...ummm...

[jj984jj]

PC Gaming: Dead since 2000.

Fixed.

[AltogetherAndrews]

I'd rather have control over graphics settings, v-sync, tweaking, etc. I mean, I guess achievement points are....sorda...ummm...

Seriously. I'm so fucking tired of having to deal with screen tearing, lack of AF, etc simply because that was the sacrifice that the developer deemed necessary to facilitate this or that effect or framerate.

[Chrono]

This turned out to be a great thread, lots of interesting PC games to look forward to next year.

I'm concerned about DMC4 though, I'm worried they won't optimize it enough. I'll only get the PC version if it's a constant 60fps guaranteed on my system just like the PS3, and of course support for PS3 controllers via USB.

[Threi]

Yah so basically all of what has been mentioned plus ports of popular console games (with superior controls, resolution, and framerate)


so...NAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Confidence Man]

These the same guys making that kart racer?

[Fatghost]

This turned out to be a great thread, lots of interesting PC games to look forward to next year. I'm concerned about DMC4 though, I'm worried they won't optimize it enough. I'll only get the PC version if it's a constant 60fps guaranteed on my system just like the PS3, and of course support for PS3 controllers via USB.

How did Lost Planet turn out?

[Darkman M]

Seriously. I'm so fucking tired of having to deal with screen tearing, lack of AF, etc simply because that was the sacrifice that the developer deemed necessary to facilitate this or that effect or framerate.

I dont think they sacrifice it consoles just dont have the horsepower like PC's do for all that AF and etc.

[Monsterland]

Sure, WoW was interesting, but I don't play games that require monthly fees, and Blizzard wasn't doing anything else... until 2004 Blizzard was my favorite game developer, but when they stopped doing anything but WoW... well, let's just say that I was really happy to see them finally get to SC2.

I'm pretty sure blizzard will be charging to play SC2 online, which is why I probably won't be playing it. They now charge $10 just to change your characters name in WoW lol..

[AltogetherAndrews]

I dont think they sacrifice it consoles just dont have the horsepower like PC's do for all that AF and etc.

Well, that's still a sacrifice though, for the sake of performance. I understand why it happens and that in most cases it's probably the most reasonable sacrifice, but as a PC gamer it irks me both that sacrifices have to be made and that I'm not in control of it.

[bishopcruz]

Props on the number of adventure games coming out. Not to mention it looks like most of them shouldn't have ricockulous system requirements, so that is defiitely a plus. Considering the number of them though, hopefully a bunch are good, I have high hopes for Grey Matter.

Hadn't heard of Still Life before? When did it come out and what was it about?

[DaMan121]

GTA4 running at 60fps... thats enough for me ( besides catching up on this years titles ).

[DKnight]

I just hope they don't shove Vista (and Live) down our throats.
I can see it being dead to me then.

[Chrono]

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23243.html

Startcraft II - fall 2010 at the earliest?

[Teknopathetic]

"Blimey games (makers of GTR2 and GT Legends) are preparing this game on brand new engine and they hired Richard Burns Rally physics coder to create the physics engine for it."


Why did I not know about this? SIM OF THE YEAR.